‘Corrie murderer Pat wasn’t all bad...’
Vickie Scullard talks to the actor behind one of the Street’s most infamous villains
CORRIE viewers have recently been horrified by the actions of abusive Geoff Metcalfe and sleazy Ray Crosby, but fans are unlikely to ever forget the destruction that Pat Phelan wreaked on the cobbles.
The twisted Coronation Street character is right up there with the likes of Richard Hilman, Maya Sharma and Tony Gordon as one of the ITV soap’s most villainous characters since it first hit our screens in 1960.
Actor Connor McIntyre did the seemingly impossible by making Pat almost likeable, despite his reign of terror over the likes of Anna Windass and Eileen Grimshaw.
There were moments when even the most critical of viewers might have felt a little sorry for the man who just couldn’t stop making bad decision after bad decision.
Sadly for Pat, his inability to keep on the straight and narrow would ultimately end in murder and his own demise at the hands of Anna, who got the ultimate revenge when she plunged the knife into his chest.
In the year of Corrie’s 10,000th episode, the M.E.N. spoke to Connor about what it was like to play such a ‘nutcase’ – his words, not ours – and how he brought this already iconic role to life.
“Viewers really hated Pat because he was so devious and crackers,” said Connor.
“But Pat was a 3D character – it’s not as simple as him being a baddie. With Pat you would get some genuine moments of real humanity, such as times he was with Eileen.
“But on top of that, he really was a nutcase. If there was a character that had narcissistic personality disorder, he would be the perfect example.
“Fans of the show would stop me in the street and say, if you just stop now there’s an opportunity for Pat and Eileen to have a life together. But no, he makes another bad decision.”
Despite being the person who will be remembered for so perfectly portraying such an evil character, Connor insists it is not him that should be praised.
“I bring what I bring to the role, but ultimately it is down to the writers,” said Connor.
“As actors you have to bring that believability, whether it be the confrontational or tender moments. But if the writing isn’t spot on it won’t translate on screen.”
Connor was in the middle of a fine art degree when he took the call from ITV offering him three episodes in the role of Phelan, which he debuted in October 2013.
That was extended to six months, and then he was brought back for two years between 2016 and 2018, before his death at the hands of Anna, played by Debbie Rush.
Nowadays Connor can mostly be seen in his art studio - but can certainly be tempted back on screen or stage for the right part.
He said: “Panto with Les Dennis was great, so much fun, and especially good to have done it in Manchester at the Opera House just over from where the old set was based. But for now I am concentrating on my art.
“I am very proud to have occupied a space in Coronation Street folklore. Immensely proud.
“The first episode went out nine days after I was born so I have grown up with it.
“It’s incredible that the show is reaching such an incredible milestone (60 years) It’s been on across my whole lifetime which is incredible to think about. I am so proud to have been involved in a small corner of it.”
With Pat you would get some genuine moments of real humanity